WorkThe story, in brief
OpenAI’s Chief Futurist Is Leaving the Company
OpenAI's longest-serving safety researcher just walked. Nine years in, Joshua Achiam is out.
The KeyNews take
Why it matters
A departure from OpenAI's safety research leadership signals potential strategic shifts in how the company prioritizes AI alignment work during a critical period of scaling.
The key facts
9 to knowJoshua Achiam departing OpenAI
Nearly 9 years at OpenAI
Role: Chief Futurist / AI safety researcher
Notable appearance in Musk v. Altman trial
Departure timing: July 2026
9 years at OpenAI
Role: Chief Futurist / AI safety research lead
Notable profile: testified in Musk v. Altman trial
Timing: July 2026 (mid-scale model release cycle)
Go to the source
Wired AIwired.com
Publisher excerpt: Joshua Achiam spent nearly nine years at OpenAI researching AI safety and made a memorable appearance in the Musk v. Altman trial.